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Monday, April 30, 2012

We went to the Cape for the Pareseau wedding, but while we were there Great Auntie Mary babysat for us and hosted a little birthday brunch just for the immediate family. How lovely! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Chewing grandma's reading glasses

Enjoying ice tea from a straw

Chilling with Uncle Andrew

With Great Auntie Mary who babysat while we were at the wedding

Disassembling Great-grandma Ruth's coffee table

Opening some birthday presents

Petting Chris's dog Harry...

and chasing Harry.

James thinks Nomar is a toy, and Nomar thinks they are mortal enemies.

Friday, April 27, 2012

I first met Kevin's cousin Jen in November of 2007, after Kevin and I got engaged. She was warm and friendly and made me feel very welcomed into the family. It wasn't long before she was telling me about Damian and her desire to marry him. She was completely ready. When you know, you know. (See if you can spot Jenny at our wedding physically demonstrating the depth of her love.)

It was no surprise then that after the ceremony many of the guests said they had never seen a happier bride. She was fluttering with glee at the altar.

Jen and Damian, blissful after the ceremony (I'm pretty excited I took this photo)

After the ceremony, they both relaxed a lot and were able to get to the partying. The party was super fun for me because it was the first family wedding (other than my own) that I had ever attended. First there was the pleasure of enjoying the wedding with the family members I already know. On top of that, I was able to meet tons of family that were more distantly related to Kevin. love genealogy so I ran around meeting as many of them as I could, and was delighted by all of them. Kevin comes from a really fun family apparently.

Clouther-Rogers family right before the reception (photo by Amanda G. B.)

Gontarz Table

George, Kathy, and Fran, friends for over 35 years!

The maid of honor, Jen's sister Megan, and the best man, Damian's best friend, both gave really good speeches. They both talked about the relationship to the bride and groom-- and the part that a lot of wedding speeches skip but shouldn't-- what happened when the bride and the groom met each other. The friends are often well-positioned to give the rest of the wedding guests a sneak look into the origins of the bride and the groom falling in love. And the speeches didn't disappoint at all. They gave us a front row seat to beginning of things from both Jen and Damian's perspectives.

Also, the wedding guests could really party it up. Perhaps I'm dating myself, but I had never seen spin-the-bottle used to select who dances in the middle of the dance floor, but it's a great idea. Kevin ended up dancing in the middle twice- well done! I was psyched to go too but I was occupied with photo-taking. So occupied that I climbed on a chair to take this last one because I lack the fancy camera equipment that lets you hold your camera above the crowd. I darted across the room, tearing my shoes off on the way, and leaping on to a chair, because oh my gosh, look how cute they are! And look at this fabulous love!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

I have been so excited for this little guy to arrive. I was really hoping he would be James's birthday buddy since I adore his parents Megan and Ed. Alas, much like James he didn't have any desire to come on his due date. But oh boy, is he delightfully scrumptious! Look at his little sleeping expression as if to say, "don't bother me, it's me time." I have been staring at his photo more often than is healthy. I am in love. Congratulations, Megan and Ed! You are going to be fabulous parents! I guess you already are!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Adrienne and her husband Liel had their daughter Brooke a little early and on the same day as James's first birthday! Look at the cuteness! Though it's no surprise, her parents are very pretty people themselves. Congratulations, Adrienne and Liel! I'm looking forward to meeting her!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Many people keep a set where they take a photo each day, it's basically an internet meme called "365." I tried once to do it in 2008, but it was so boring that I failed after a month or two. When James was born, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try again Not only is James the most interesting person for me to document, but it would really show how much he changed day by day. And wow! He's grown so much!

Truth be told, it's really hard to remember every day especially when you're a sleep deprived parent, so I cheated a handful of times. But it's pretty complete. Here's the summary version with 1 photo a month.

Friday, April 20, 2012

I can't believe it's been a year since James was born! The first thing I said when I first saw James was "He's awesome!" and even though he only stared at us and cried for a few months, over the last year he has really lived up to my original declaration. There is nothing better than hearing him laugh, seeing him shake his shoulders and break into a run when he's up to no good, or getting a big juicy hug from him. James, if you read this one day, your dad and I love you like crazy!

James, today, at 1 year old!

Growth- James had his 1 year doctor's appointment yesterday! His measurements were 32.5 inches tall (though I think he's actually 31), and 24.4 pounds. He's wearing 12 months pants (or he would if we had any) and 18 month shirts. He has 7 teeth but the 8th one is starting to show finally.

Wearing his Huntsville shirt in the chair that Sarah painted for him

Eating- He's off formula now and according to his doctor he's allowed to eat anything now. Nonetheless, we avoid cheese because it seems to disagree with him. He's loves everything else so he's just been getting part of whatever we eat at mealtime plus snacks. He feeds himself finger food but he also demands to hold his own spoon with more disastrous results.

Sadly, he still eats books.

Studying, March 29

Sleep- James is still sleeping through the night from 8:30 p.m to 6:30 a.m. I don't necessarily have to hold him during naps if I let him sleep in our bed and sit there watching him, he's pretty happy for at least half the nap.Language/ Social- He's not really into saying real words regularly, but he's been babbling up a storm lately He points at stuff to find out the word. His favorite game is to point at (poke at) my eye until I say, "ojo."

He understands certain things and acts accordingly. If I ask him, "Quieres leche?" he removes his pacifier to drink milk even if there is no milk in sight. He understands, "no," and a bunch of other things though it's hard to tell sometimes if he doesn't understand or chooses to ignore us.

Even though he just turned 1, he's on month 2 of his "terrible twos." Maybe by the time he's 2 he'll be perfectly well-behaved?

Using his toy screwdriver, April 12

Moving- If he thinks that he's been caught doing something he shouldn't be doing, he jumps up a little, and then he runs away. He does this even though I have caught him every time. Maybe he knows the day he's faster than me is just around the corner.

This year, we were missing all the fun we had celebrating Easter with the Gorski's five years ago in Charlottesville. The Gorskis do it big with martinis and dinner and dessert. Oh the martinis. So delightful. Back then, neither Nick and Emily, nor Kevin and I were even engaged. Now we're old married couples.

Kevin and James with the Gorski family

So we drove to Nick's parents in New York to relive the good times. Nick's parents Betsy and Joe were such amazing hosts! Joe made me the best cosmo I have ever had, and Betsy made a delicious dinner of lamb and vegetables. James even got to enjoy the potatoes. Betsy also got James his first Easter basket filled with a plush monkey and a Peter Rabbit book! How lovely!

I mentioned our first Easter together in the last post, so I thought I would share some photos. Five years ago, we spent our first Easter together in Charlottesville at Nick and his roommates' house celebrating with the Gorski, Brady, Walsh family and their friends. Here are some pictures.